Other useful information about Greece

Climate:

The climate in Greece is the typical Mediterranean one: mild and rainy winters, relatively warm and dry summers and, generally, extended periods of sunshine throughout most of the year. A great variety of climate subtypes are encountered in several regions of Greece due to the influence of topography. In the east and south parts of Greece the climate is dry while in the north and west parts of the country the climate is wet.

In terms of climatology, the year can be broadly divided into two seasons. The cold and rainy period lasts from the mid of October until the end of March, and the warm and non-rainy season lasts from April until September. During the first period the coldest months are January and February, with, on average, mean minimum temperature ranging between 5 -10 Co near the coasts, 0 - 5 Co over mainland areas, and temperatures below zero over the northern part of the country. The warmest period is from the mid of July and the mid of August, when the mean maximum temperature ranges between 29.0 and 35.0 Co.

Social Life

Social life in Greece is rich and a wide range of options is offered. Social life is more intense in central areas, starting with the capital (Athens) and the co-capital (Thessaloniki) of Greece.

Transportation

During the past few decades the transportation network of the country has been modernised and impressively upgraded. Αs a result, Greece has today an integrated transportation structure allowing for fast and safe travelling all over the country.  Greece’s railway network is approximately 2,500 km long, covering a large part of the mainland and linking the country with central Europe and Turkey. For more information contact: Hellenic Railways Organization (http://www.ose.gr).

For more information about the transportation system in Greece, visit the site of Ministry of Transportation and Communication -  http://www.yme.gr.

Transportation in Athens

Trolley buses: For information on city bus and electric trolleybus itineraries, as well as on timetables and ticket prices click here: http://www.oasa.gr.

Metro: The Athens metro consists of three lines -Line 1 (the old Athens-Piraeus electric rail service known as ISAP), Line 2 (underground) and Line 3 (underground) - covering a considerable part of the Attiki region. Analytical route maps are displayed in every metro station. For more information click here: http://www.ametro.gr.

Tram: The tram network connects the centre of Athens (Syntagma Square) with the southern (coastal) suburbs. For more information click here: http://www.tramsa.gr.

The Suburban Railway (Proastiakos): It accommodates travel to/from Athens and the “Eleftherios Venizelos” Athens International Airport (with seven stops along the line), Athens and Corinthos (84 km west of Athens - with seven stops along the line), Corinthos and Kiato (24 km),  and Corinthos and the “Eleftherios Venizelos” Athens International Airport  (with eleven stops along the line).

Taxis: All taxis are equipped with a meter displaying the fare. The driver is obliged to activate the meter upon hire. Prices are cheap in comparison to other European countries.

Attiki Odos Motorway: The Attiki Odos links the town of Elefsina (located in western Attiki) to the “Eleftherios Venizelos” Athens International Airport (Spata, eastern Attiki). Part of the Athens peripheral ring road, it circumvents Athens and offers secondary interchanges for entrance and exit into /from the capital. For more information, click here: http://www.aodos.gr.

Medical services – Health insurance

Τourists from European Union member states wishing to visit Greece must be holders of the European Health Card (EHIC) or any other legal Community document issued by their competent social security agency.

In these cases, health care is provided by:

• the Social Security Institution Health Units (IKA polyclinics or IKA  doctor’s offices) in the region;
• the Regional clinics (former rural clinics) or the Health Centres of the National Health System; and
• the outpatients’ departments of the public hospitals.

Τourists from countries other than the member states of the European Union must consult their social security agency for information before travelling.

In case of emergency call:

Ambulance Service: 166
SOS Doctors : 1016
Emergency hospitals, clinics, pharmacies, doctors: 14944

Living costs

Living costs vary from town to town. In general terms, a student who studies away from his/her permanent residence may spend from 300 euros to 1000 euro monthly.

Αccommodation

There are a number of students’ dormitories in Greece for the accommodation of the university students.  However, most of the dormitories are not accessible to students with disabilities.

Sports

Sport activities for disabled people are facilitated by various clubs and federations. Students with disabilities can join the sport clubs for the disabled.